Debra Stephenson

Debra Stephenson

Debra Stephenson is a multi-talented English actress, comedienne, impressionist and singer.

She appeared on BBC TV's Opportunity Knocks, at the age of 14, winning her way through to the All-Winners' Final, broadcast live from the London Palladium. She also appeared on Blue Peter doing an impression of Esther Rantzen. In 1999 she had a more prominent role, playing Shell Dockley in the ITV prison drama Bad Girls. Her performance as the psychotic Dockley earned her consecutive nominations for Best Actress at the National Television Awards in 1999 and 2000. As well as doing stand-up comedy at venues including London's Comedy Store, Stephenson has played several roles as a comic actress on radio and television. These include Hosanna in the BBC Radio 4 comedy At Home with the Snails (2002), and sketch show TV to Go in 2000 with Hugh Dennis and Pauline McLynn. Stephenson was also a big part of The Friday Night Project, interviewing the public and going undercover with disguises such as 'Debbo'. From June 2004 to December 2006, Stephenson starred in the top rated British soap opera Coronation Street playing Frankie Baldwin. For her role she received nominations for "Best Newcomer" at various TV and soap awards shows. In 2005 she took part in Comic Relief does Fame Academy to raise money for charity. Debra led The Impressions Show with Jon Culshaw, which began recording in August 2009. The popular series was recommissioned for a second series in 2010 and then again for a third series of 6 episodes which started on 26 October 2011. In March 2010, Stephenson took part in Let's Dance for Sport Relief and reached the final after an impressive rendition of Michael Jackson's "Smooth Criminal". She was also a contestant on the 2011 Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special. Debra Stephenson is renowned for her passionate and entertaining performances.